Patentable/Patents/US-8531584
US-8531584

Image-pickup apparatus

PublishedSeptember 10, 2013
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

The image-pickup apparatus includes an image acquiring part respectively photoelectrically converting first and second object images respectively formed by first and second light fluxes into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and photoelectrically converting a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider, and a split image generating part which generates split image data to be displayed in the third image data. The split image generating part generates the split image data based on the first image data and the second image data, and adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data.

Patent Claims
6 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. An image-pickup apparatus comprising: an image acquiring part which respectively photoelectrically converts a first object image and a second object image that are formed by a first light flux and a second light flux into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and which photoelectrically converts a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider; a displaying part which displays the third image data; and a split image generating part which generates split image data to be displayed in the third image data, wherein the split image generating part generates the split image data based on the first image data and the second image data, and adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data, and wherein the split image generating part extracts the color information from the third image data on the basis of positional difference amounts of the first and second object images with respect to the third object image.

Plain English Translation

An image-pickup apparatus captures three object images using an optical system. A pupil divider splits the incoming light into two light fluxes, creating a first and second object image. A third object image is formed from light that is not divided. An image sensor converts these three object images into corresponding digital data. The apparatus then generates a "split image" within the third image. This split image is created using data from the first and second images, and color information extracted from the third image. Critically, the color data is extracted based on the positional differences between the first/second object images and the third object image. The third image, with the added split image, is then displayed.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The image-pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image acquiring part is constituted by a single image-pickup element including first pixels and second pixels which respectively photoelectrically convert the first object image and the second object image, and third pixels which photoelectrically convert the third object image.

Plain English Translation

The image-pickup apparatus described previously, where an image is split and color is added to the split image using positional data, uses a single image sensor. This sensor has different pixel groups: first pixels for the first object image from one light flux, second pixels for the second object image from the other light flux, and third pixels for the undivided third object image. Thus, one physical sensor captures all three images simultaneously.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. An image display method for an image pickup-apparatus having a displaying part comprising: a first step of respectively photoelectrically converting a first object image and a second object image that are formed by a first light flux and a second light flux into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and which photoelectrically converting a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider; and a second step of generating split image data to be displayed in the third image data displayed on the displaying part, wherein the second step adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data, and wherein the split image generating part extracts the color information from the third image data on the basis of positional difference amounts of the first and second object images with respect to the third object image.

Plain English Translation

An image display method for an image pickup-apparatus involves these steps: First, a first and second object image are converted into digital data using light fluxes split by a pupil divider. A third object image from undivided light is also converted. Second, a "split image" is generated and displayed within the third image. This split image is generated using data from the first and second images, and color information extracted from the third image. The color information is extracted based on the positional differences between the first/second object images and the third object image.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. An image-pickup apparatus comprising: an image acquiring part which respectively photoelectrically converts a first object image and a second object image that are formed by a first light flux and a second light flux into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and which photoelectrically converts a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider; a displaying part which displays the third image data; and a split image generating part which generates split image data to be displayed in the third image data, wherein the split image generating part generates the split image data based on the first image data and the second image data, and adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data, and wherein the split image generating part changes a color density of the split image data in accordance with a phase difference between the first and second object images.

Plain English Translation

An image-pickup apparatus captures three object images using an optical system. A pupil divider splits the incoming light into two light fluxes, creating a first and second object image. A third object image is formed from light that is not divided. An image sensor converts these three object images into corresponding digital data. The apparatus then generates a "split image" within the third image. This split image is created using data from the first and second images, and color information extracted from the third image. Critically, the color density (intensity) of the split image changes according to the phase difference between the first and second object images. The third image, with the added split image, is then displayed.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. An image display method for an image pickup-apparatus having a displaying part comprising: a first step of respectively photoelectrically converting a first object image and a second object image that are formed by a first light flux and a second light flux into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and which photoelectrically converting a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider; and a second step of generating split image data to be displayed in the third image data displayed on the displaying part, wherein the second step adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data, wherein the split image generating part changes a color density of the split image data in accordance with a phase difference between the first and second object images.

Plain English Translation

An image display method for an image pickup-apparatus involves these steps: First, a first and second object image are converted into digital data using light fluxes split by a pupil divider. A third object image from undivided light is also converted. Second, a "split image" is generated and displayed within the third image. This split image is generated using data from the first and second images, and color information extracted from the third image. The color density (intensity) of the split image changes according to the phase difference between the first and second object images.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The image-pickup apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the image acquiring part is constituted by a single image-pickup element including first pixels and second pixels which respectively photoelectrically convert the first object image and the second object image, and third pixels which photoelectrically convert the third object image.

Plain English Translation

The image-pickup apparatus described previously, where an image is split and the split image color changes based on phase differences, uses a single image sensor. This sensor has different pixel groups: first pixels for the first object image from one light flux, second pixels for the second object image from the other light flux, and third pixels for the undivided third object image. Thus, one physical sensor captures all three images simultaneously.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

December 23, 2011

Publication Date

September 10, 2013

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